Planning a wedding is no small expense and there are so many details to think about. Craig and I have DJ’d 100’s of weddings that run the gambit from lavish affairs to suit royalty to small, intimate backyard family gatherings and this same issue arises at all events; weddings or otherwise: how do we help get our guests home safely?

If you are having your wedding in a large, urban centre like Victoria or Vancouver, taxis are plentiful and guests don’t have to wait too long for their ride home. Maybe, our leaders will allow companies like Lyft and Uber to come into our market and share some of the people moving load. While taxis are pushed to their limit between 2 and 3 am, most special events end around 1 am, so there is minimal competition for safe rides home.

The problem arises when you live in a small community. On Vancouver Island, other than Victoria and Nanaimo, many taxi services are not equipped to handle large amounts of passengers at any one time. In Courtenay, I have found myself having to wait an hour and a half for a taxi to shuttle me home. I ended up walking and got there much sooner. It is in the smaller communities on Vancouver Island, where a shuttle service can greatly enhance the party experience for you and your guests. If your wedding is on a busy, summer Saturday in July or August, your guests could be waiting quite a long time for a safe ride home. A shuttle service could mean the difference between your guests leaving early or staying until the party is over. Another benefit to a shuttle service in a small community is the peace of mind it will give you, not worrying about your friends and loved ones taking unnecessary risks. Some shuttle services even offer to drive you home in your own car to save the hassle of grabbing it the next day.

Here is list of companies operating on Vancouver Island.

Island Chauffeur offers service in Qualicum Beach, Parksville and Nanoose Bay.

Oceanside Shuttle Service offers service from Victoria to Courtenay

Ambassador Shuttle operates in the Comox Valley

Chemainus Tours – Chemainus, Duncan and the Cowichan Valley